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Grow & eat

Stone me!

Posted by: Pippa Greenwood, 23 August 2007, 09.19AM

Apples Stone me! This is THE year for fruit as far as I'm concerned. About five years ago we started our own mini-orchard with some great bare root fruit trees from a local fruit nursery. Then we added to them over the next year or two. Despite the fact that each was fitted with a spiral tree guard to fend off the rabbits, our bunnies are super-cunning and soon realised that if you put your front feet on the top of a plastic spiral it obligingly squashes down to reveal tasty succulent bark beneath. Some trees eventually had to have three fitted to keep them off (is it just me??). Then, serious deer damage followed.

CDs The trees barely fruited last year, but this year it's been heavenly. It's a good year for stone fruits and, although there are still some like the Victoria plums to come, we've feasted constantly - and we're still looking forward to acres of apple tart and mountains of apple-filled pancakes, as well as, of course, enjoying it all straight from the tree. Weather apart, I have a feeling that all the 21st century junk mail, in the form of numerous CDs and DVDs, have finally come into their own, put to good use as they dangle elegantly from the branches to ward off unwanted attention!

Comments

  • Susan St James

    31 August 2007, 07.45PM

    It is a wonderful idea CD's over the garden for unwanted attention. I have been doing it for a couple of years now, it certainly keeps the cats from digging the garden up, it also keeps birds away from fruit and veg.

  • Roger

    20 August 2007, 09.03PM

    Had my allotment for 12 years lovely fresh veg all year round. Best thing I ever did.

  • Bramley Falstaff

    01 September 2007, 02.20PM

    How do I know when my apples are ripe? We planted a 3 in one tree and are pleased with the large quantity of fruit but have no idea when they are suposed to be ready. Thankyou

  • Pippa Greenwood

    06 September 2007, 01.28PM

    The best way to tell if an apple is ready to harvest is to gently cup a fruit in your hand and then give the stalk a couple of twists as you turn the fruit - if it comes away its ready, if not...its not. And I have to admit that I often try the taste test too as I rather enjoy apples that are just a little bit un-ripe as far as the official opinion goes!

  • Christine Stephenson

    24 September 2007, 12.30PM

    I have a small patio and decking area and would like to grow fruit trees, perhaps apples and pears, in pots. Do I look for miniature or dwarf plnats?

  • paul c

    29 September 2007, 11.12AM

    Could you please tell me if you could grow malus domestica winter gem apples in a pot or any other kind of tree plants?

  • Jennifer

    04 October 2007, 07.46AM

    We have a very overgrown laurel hedge on three sides of back garden....30ft+ Is there any right time to prune. I want to reduce both width and hieght by half. Any tips please. many thanks,

  • Pippa Greenwood

    04 October 2007, 01.58PM

    Good to hear there is another CD & DVD user out there...they're also a great way to magpies and other birds that try to eat the few eggs out hens produce, before we get a chance. Still wish they didn't send so many out though, and expect this is just the start of it!!

  • fruit trees

    09 October 2007, 01.58AM

    hi i inherited a lg apple which gives mediocre apples (i can cook them.) i'm adding a new tart green columnar type. also planted last spring mini nectarines and peaches that had some fruit which dropped.is this due to their youth or other? i planted a mini pear 2 yrs ago which gave a couple of nice fruits then, and a few more this yr. finally, i have a lg pear which produced little.

    i confess i know little about fruit trees and do not treat them at all nor prune them, tho i occasionally dump some osmocte at the base. they don't seem diseased. i actually live nr paris where pears are grown as well as raspberries so figure my fruit shd succeed. i don't spray and don't know about pruning them/ the big old apple was pruned way back 5 yrs ago and has recovered and gives a lot. we also have a mirabelle that usually produces ok. any advice wd be appreciated. sometimes have leaf curl. try not to treat anything... thanks!!!

  • anne.b

    15 October 2007, 12.51PM

    I've just picked a bag full of cydonia japonica fruit off my mum's shrub but, on looking on line for recipes for jelly, I find that most of the sites describe the fruit as inedible. I wanted to make jelly, but would hate to poison family and friends! Any information gratefully received. Thanks, Anne

  • Elaine

    17 October 2007, 04.08PM

    Hi, In Oct. 2006 I bought 10 Jewel Raspberries from a fruit tree specialist here in Dumfries. My ground was well prepared and they were duly planted. One year on I have 6 dead looking canes and 4 miserable looking plants. I also bought 10 Malling Admiral which look ok. Have you any suggestion as to what went wrong. My late rasps are producing a great crop. (The supplier when approached said I would not get raspberries if I did not spray.) Thanks

  • Michael P

    26 October 2007, 11.38AM

    Hi! At the beginning of the year we used the free tomato seeds from Gardeners World and are still eating our crop - they were very good little tomatoes with a lovely flavour and which suited our limited space for growing. Trouble is I can't remember what they were called and want to get somemore for next year. Can anyone help?

  • Dianne E

    04 November 2007, 05.43PM

    Does anyone have a recipe for apple cake? I thought i saw one in a back copy of GW magazine, I grow my own apples and after a bumper crop I need some inspiration!

  • Apricot tree (mature)

    06 February 2008, 06.17PM

    Moved into a new house in May 2007 in July 2007 had a fantastic amount of Apricots, got a pantry full of apricot jam!! I have had many different advice on when to prune the tree (Feb 08) it is getting a little out of hand and has already flowered. Am i too late to prune it now February or should i wait? what shall i do, can anyone help?

  • Gail

    25 April 2008, 08.10PM

    I got a nectarine and a cherry tree from the supermarket they were fresh in so I soaked the roots in water and planted them in half barrels in mix of our compost and a multimix they now look healthy and have leaves just bursting,never having had fruit trees and being unable to plant in the ground because of block paving how often shall I feed them and should I not let them get to big,or will they not get to big because of root restriction?

  • irene 16 july 2008

    16 July 2008, 09.54PM

    I have a cherry tree(stella) in a tub which starts to grow cherries but they all fall of it has done this for the last 2 years any suggestions as to why the cherries fall off

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